Part 1

Test 1 Training Writing (1 hour 30 minutes)

Task information presented in the

.You may use the opinions
Part 1 is a compulsory task. deal with the bullet
question, but you can
words.
I n Part 1, you have to write 220-260
points in a different way if you wish.
You have to write an essay. .You must explain which of your two bullet
topic, the be more important/
The question consists of a statement of points you consider to
and three effective/useful... giving reasons for your
three bullet points relating to the topic
opinions, referring back to each of the bullet opinion.
points in turn.
bullet
You must only write about two of the
points in the question.

assessed
Understanding how writing is of questions about
1 and 2 ask themselves a number
1 The people who mark your writing for both Parts is
of language that it focusing on (A-F).
their questions (1-6) with the aspect
your work. Match each of
A Organisation
1 Does the answer cover all the necessary points?
errors? B Language - range
2 Does the answer contain a lot of language
C Register
3 Does the answer use a variety of words and structures?
D Content (dealing with the necessary
4 Is the answer written in clear, well-connected paragraphs?
Is the in an appropriately formal or informal style? points)
5 answer
E Communicative achievement
Would the answer have the right effect on the reader?
6 F Language - accuracy

in it.
a poor mark for accuracy. Correct the ten language errors
2 O This piece of writing got

lam writting this letter to discuss about the advantages and disadvantages of building

theatre at the college. At first, I would like to draw your attention on the fact that
a new

our college has a drama department for the last ten years and yet it still doesn't have

an own theatre. This means that drama students must to put on there productions in a

theatre in the city, what is expensive and, of course, not very convenient too.

3 This piece of writing got a poor mark for range. Change the underlined words to more interesting woro
adding to or expanding on them, in order to gain better marks.

Iwould recommend that you choose Brown's Hotel for your holiday.
We had a great time there last year. The rooms were beautiful. the
food was good and the staff were very nice too. It's central so you can

walktolotsofinteresting places.
 D o these sentences that candidates wrote use an appropriate register? If not,
4
improved version of the sentence.
say why not and write an
1 (Letter to a friend) Would you do me the honour of accompanying me to the
theatre next Saturday?
2 (Proposal to a town counci) It'd be great if you can see your way to putting my
ideas into practice. Am sure you won't regret it!
3 (Opening sentence in a review for an international magazine) Its main
disadvantage is the fact that its public trarnsport system is so poor, althoughI
suppose some people would say that it's not a bad idea to walk everywhere
anyway, given that it's a relatively small town without many hills and so it's
easy to make your way around its picturesque little streets on foot
4 (Report for a college principa) l'd love to write more about this topic and must
apologise for simply not having adequate time to do so.

5 Here is an example of a Part 1 Writing task. Read the task below and answer these
questions.
1 What are the main content points that the examiners will be looking for?
2 What are the conventions of essay writing in English which you should follow?
3 What register will you need to use?
4 How many paragraphs will you need, and what will the topic of each one be?
5 What effect will you want to have on the target reader?

You must answer this question. Write your answer in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

1 Your class has listened to a radio discussion about the

advantages and disadvantages of receiving
different types of presents. You have made the notes below:

Typesof present
Some opinions expressed in the discussion:
luxuries
homemade items "The best presents are things you couldn't afford to buy for
experiences yourself."
"If someone's spent time making a present for me, it shows
how much they care."

"I don't need more things-l'd rather be taken to the theatre

or a football match."

which
e an essay
discussing two of the types of present in your notes. You should explain
Onese types of present is best to receive, giving reasons in support of your answer.

TOu may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the discussion, but you should use
your own words as far as possible.

Test 1 Training 43
Writing Part 1
 Test 1 Exam practice Writing Part 1
Action plan
1 Read the question very carefully, highlighting 6 Remember that you are writing an essay, so
should be neutral
all the significant points you must include in your style of writing or
formal rather than informal.
your answer.
2 Allow plenty of time to plan your answer 7 Organise your writing in clear paragraphs.

carefully. 8 Write 220-260 words. If you write less, you

3 Decide which two of the three listed points you probably will not deal with all the aspects of
are going to write about. the question or show an adequate range of
4 Think about how you are going to expand language.
each of these two points - the quotes from the 9 When you want to make a correction, do so as

discussion may help to give you ideas, but you neatly as possible.
may prefer to use other ideas of your own. 10 Spend time checking your work.
5 Think about how you are going to compare
these points and which you will say is more
important (or effective or useful, etc.) and why.

1 First answer these questions about the task on page 45.

1 What are the main content points that the examiners will be looking for?
2 What kind of text do you have to write?
3 What are the conventions of this text type in English which you should follow in your answer?
4 What register will you need to use?
5 How many paragraphs will you use, and what will the topic of each one be?
6 What effect will you want to have on the target reader?

2 How could you express these points from the input text in other (f possible more formal) words?
1 people with work experience
2 give wise advice
3 manage your money
4 living independently

3 What example could give to illustrate each of these

you points?
1 work
2 relationships
3 finance

4 Which two of these points do you think it will be best for

you to
deal with in your answer?

5 Now write your answer to the task.

44 Test 1 Exam practice Writing Part 1

 limit
exam instructions, using the advice to help you. Tip! Keep to the word
Follow the suggested. If you write

Write your in 220-260 words in an too much, you are likely

Vatmust answer this question. answer
to make more mistakes
appropriate style. and to make your points
less effectively.

watched a round-table discussion about what vouna

1 Your class has Advice
from older generations. You have made the notes below:
Deople can learn Look at the exam question.
Which of the three areas
would you find it hardest to
people could learn from older generations write about? Do not attempt
Areas where young
it and focus your plans on the
other two instead.
work
Can you think of specific
relationships examples that would illustrate
money
Some opinions expressed in the discussion: how an older person's
advice could help a younger
"People with work experience can tell you person deal with each of the

what the job you're considering is really like."|
"Older people can give wise advice when you
have a problem with a friend."
"It's hard to manage your money when you
start living independently."
remaining two areas?
You may find it hard to select
an area of a younger person's
Iife which is more likely to
benefit from an older person's
advice, but remember that
the most important thing is to
write well - so choose either

of your two areas and make

an argument to support your
choice.
Write an essay discussing two of the areas in your notes. You should You should aim to spend
explain in which area young people could gain most from older about 45 minutes on your
answer, including planning and
generations, giving reasons in support of your answer.
checking time.
You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the
discussion, but you should use your own words as far as possible. Tip! Write your answer on
alternate lines so that
Follow-up you can make corrections
more easily.
Did you read the question carefully and do exactly what it asked you to do?

Tip! Make it clear where one

paragraph ends and the
next begins (either by
indenting or by leaving
an extra line between the

paragraphs).

Writing Part 1
Test 1 Exam practice 45